Marrero man killed in car crash was 'free spirit,' family says

The death of a Marrero man in a car crash last weekend has "devastated" his family as they mourn the loss of a "free-spirit" who loved to party and watch horror movies with his nieces. John Pickney, 38, died Saturday from blunt force trauma to the head after a car he was riding in struck a tree on Barataria...

The death of a Marrero man in a car crash last weekend has "devastated" his family as they mourn the loss of a "free-spirit" who loved to party and watch horror movies with his nieces. John Pickney, 38, died Saturday from blunt force trauma to the head after a car he was riding in struck a tree on Barataria Boulevard around 3 p.m. State Police said the driver lost control while negotiating a curve at a high rate of speed in the 5900 block of Barataria Boulevard and crossed several lanes of traffic.

Three other passengers received moderate and minor injuries and it was unclear if the driver, John Marshall, 38, of Marrero, was hurt. Everyone in the vehicle was wearing a seat belt.

Police arrested Marshall because they suspect he may have been impaired. Toxicology tests are pending. He was booked with vehicular homicide, three counts of vehicular negligent injuring, reckless operation of a motor vehicle, heroin possession, possession of drug paraphernalia and driving without a license or license plate. He remains in custody at the Jefferson Parish Correctional Center in Gretna.

Pickney's sister, Jamika Rankins, said her family is still trying to process the death of her fun-loving, laid-back older brother who always lived life on his own terms. Whether it was covering himself in tattoos and piercings, or finding a way to slip the affirmation "Word" into every situation, Rankins said her brother had tons of quirks. She said he definitely marched to his own drummer, and as an avid music fan and DJ, that only made sense.

"He loved to have a good time,'' Rankins said. "Whatever he felt like he wanted to wear or do he was just like 'This is me.'"

Pickney and Marshall were old friends, Rankins said, adding she bears Marshall no ill will for her brother's death. However, she said it hurts her family to see that everyone else walked away from the crash alive.

Rankins said her brother, who was nicknamed "Yellow," loved partying on Bourbon Street, but also would tape horror movies to watch later with his nieces because they weren't allowed to watch those movies at home.

One of those nieces excitedly remembered Monday how Pickney would make special popcorn just for movie night. Rankins said her brother is survived by seven children.

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Allen Powell II can be reached at apowell@timespicayune.com or 504.826.3793.